Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, South River has a population of around 674 people. The town's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of South River has increased by 4.17%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 647 | 674 | +4.17% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.82% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, South River's population is projected to reach approximately 702 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 117.59 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 674 | 702 | 117.59 |
This projection is an estimate calculated by CAPopulation from the compound annual growth rate between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. Official 2026 complete census data expected to be released in late 2027.
Population By Genders
The male population of South River is around 345 while the female population is around 330.
Of the 674 total population in South River, the largest gender is male with around 345 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 345 | 330 | +4.35% |
Is South River a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how South River compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Newfoundland and Labrador, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.
Employment & Economy
Income & Affordability
Commute
Housing Character
Household Composition
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
Other Towns Near South River
- Clarke’s Beach (1.5 km)
- North River (3.3 km)
- Cupids (4.0 km)
- Brigus (4.5 km)
- Bay Roberts (4.5 km)
- Colliers (9.5 km)
- Conception Harbour (10.8 km)
- Bishop’s Cove (10.8 km)
- Upper Island Cove (12.8 km)
- Harbour Main-Chapel’s Cove-Lakeview (14.0 km)
- Avondale (14.2 km)
- Bryant’s Cove (14.8 km)
- Harbour Grace (18.0 km)
- Holyrood (21.2 km)
- Carbonear (22.0 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
South River has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 11.10% of the total population. The town median age is 49.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 to 69 years | 30 8.70% | 50 15.20% | 40.00% | 75 11.10% |
| 60 to 64 years | 25 7.20% | 35 10.60% | 28.57% | 60 8.90% |
| 70 to 74 years | 35 10.10% | 25 7.60% | 28.57% | 60 8.90% |
| 55 to 59 years | 30 8.70% | 25 7.60% | 16.67% | 55 8.10% |
| 35 to 39 years | 30 8.70% | 25 7.60% | 16.67% | 50 7.40% |
| Median age of the population | 47 47.20% | 52 51.60% | 7.75% | 50 49.60% |
| Average age of the population | 44 44.20% | 47 47.40% | 6.33% | 46 45.80% |
| 50 to 54 years | 25 7.20% | 20 6.10% | 20.00% | 45 6.70% |
| 30 to 34 years | 15 4.30% | 20 6.10% | 25.00% | 40 5.90% |
| 45 to 49 years | 25 7.20% | 15 4.50% | 40.00% | 40 5.90% |
| 5 to 9 years | 20 5.80% | 15 4.50% | 25.00% | 35 5.20% |
| 25 to 29 years | 15 4.30% | 15 4.50% | 0.00% | 35 5.20% |
| 40 to 44 years | 15 4.30% | 20 6.10% | 25.00% | 35 5.20% |
| 0 to 4 years | 15 4.30% | 15 4.50% | 0.00% | 30 4.40% |
| 10 to 14 years | 20 5.80% | 10 3.00% | 50.00% | 25 3.70% |
| 15 to 19 years | 15 4.30% | 10 3.00% | 33.33% | 25 3.70% |
| 20 to 24 years | 15 4.30% | 10 3.00% | 33.33% | 25 3.70% |
| 75 to 79 years | 15 4.30% | 10 3.00% | 33.33% | 25 3.70% |
| 80 to 84 years | 5 1.40% | 5 1.50% | 0.00% | 10 1.50% |
Broader Age Groups
If the town's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 60.70% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 25.90% and 14.10%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in South River are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|
Photos of Places & Sceneries in South River
Explore South River Through Videos
Population of South River by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of South River is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. South River is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the province appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in the province are English, which accounts for 37.50% of the total population, followed by Irish (21.09%), Canadian (16.41%), Newfoundlander (14.06%), and Christian, n.i.e. (7.03%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include British Isles, Caucasian (White), Scottish, French, and Welsh.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 38.10% | 36.92% | 37.50% |
| Irish | 23.81% | 18.46% | 21.09% |
| Canadian | 14.29% | 18.46% | 16.41% |
| Newfoundlander | 15.87% | 13.85% | 14.06% |
| Christian, n.i.e. | 7.94% | 6.15% | 7.03% |
| British Isles | 4.76% | 6.15% | 5.47% |
| Caucasian (White) | 3.17% | 4.62% | 3.91% |
| Scottish | 0.00% | 4.62% | 3.13% |
| French | 4.76% | 0.00% | 2.34% |
| Welsh | 0.00% | 3.08% | 1.56% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of South River's population profile.
About 2.3% of South River's population are immigrants (15 people).
The top countries of origin for South River's immigrant population are Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0), Haiti (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
| Guyana | 0 |
| Haiti | 0 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 285 of South River's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 24.15% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 11.65% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.85%, 5.85%, and 1.65%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 145 | 24.15% |
| 1 person | 70 | 11.65% |
| 3 persons | 35 | 5.85% |
| 4 persons | 35 | 5.85% |
| 5 or more persons | 10 | 1.65% |
Income in South River
Analyzing income distribution in South River can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within South River is $37,200.
A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.
Such data offers insights into the town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of South River population or around 90 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 75 and 60 people, respectively.
Household Income
The South River's median household income is $73,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average South River's median household income is 11,000 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the town's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.
Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the town's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in South River
This data sheds light on the distribution of South River residents across educational milestones.
Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
63.50% or most of the South River population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 20.10% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 18.75% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.35% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 275 | 285 | 560 | 63.50% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 70 | 120 | 185 | 20.10% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55 | 110 | 170 | 18.75% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 100 | 50 | 145 | 15.35% |
Below national average 18.8% of South River's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in South River
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in South River. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is at 8.04% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 48.21% |
| Unemployment rate | 8.04% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the town who work as an employee. The majority of South River's population (around 71.90%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 15 men and 10 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 20.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 15 | 10 | 20 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The South River industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in South River is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
South River has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (14%) works in the educational services sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 13%, followed by Health care and social assistance at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational services | 10 | 30 | 14% |
| Retail trade | 10 | 30 | 13% |
| Health care and social assistance | 10 | 25 | 11% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 30 | 0 | 9% |
| Accommodation and food services | 10 | 20 | 9% |
| Construction | 20 | 0 | 6% |
| Wholesale trade | 15 | 0 | 6% |
| Public administration | 15 | 10 | 6% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 15 | 5% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 15 | 0 | 5% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 10 | 0 | 3% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 10 | 0 | 3% |
| Manufacturing | 10 | 0 | 3% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where South River residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in South River: Educational services (14%), -45 Retail trade (13%), Health care and social assistance (11%)
Top occupation categories in South River: Sales and service occupations (28%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (25%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (16%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the town. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 100 | 105 | 205 | 74.50% |
| No fixed workplace address | 25 | 15 | 40 | 14.50% |
| Worked at home | 15 | 15 | 25 | 9.10% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how South River residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.
The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of South River residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of South River spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the town's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the town.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 44.90% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 22.40% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 16.30% |
| 60 minutes and over | 16.30% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 6.10% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in South Rivershed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.
Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the town's social fabric. We can gain insights into South River's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights town's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.
English is the most spoken official language in South River. About 670 people living in the province speak English, 5 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 670 |
| French | 5 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Mother Tongue & Home Language
Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.
| Language | Mother Tongue | Spoken Most Often at Home |
|---|---|---|
| English | 98.5% | 99.3% |
| French | 0.7% | 0.0% |
| Non-official languages | 0.7% | 0.0% |
Religion
South River is predominantly Christian. About 545 of its population is Christian (265 males and 265 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Buddhist with 0.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 85.2% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions about South River
According to the 2021 census, South River has a population of approximately 674 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of South River increased by 4.17%.
South River has a population density of approximately 113.00 people per square kilometre.
South River covers a land area of approximately 5.97 km².
The median age of the population in South River is 49.60 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in South River is English.
The median household income in South River is $73,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in South River.
Christian is the predominant religion in South River.
Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) conducted the 2026 Census of Population in May 2026. However, census data goes through an extensive processing, validation, and quality-assurance period before public release. Based on the release plan, the 2026 Census results begin rolling out on February 10, 2027, with complete community-level profiles available by December 1, 2027. Until then, this page uses 2021 Census data as its primary source, supplemented by a population projection estimate for 2026 calculated using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from the 2016–2021 Census period.